Non-Degree / Dates: January 2023

As Estonia is one of the Uralic nations, it is the best place to get to know Finno-Ugric cultures! A 6-lecture series on Finno-Ugric Studies provides an overview of the Finno-Ugric nations’ history, culture, and modern developments. As scientists found out, the Finno-Ugric peoples have inhabited the European continent for around ten thousand years. Mainly, they live in the territory of Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Hungary. How are these countries connected? During the lecture series, we will study how the Hungarians, Finns, Estonians, Sami, Komi, Mansi and many other Finno-Ugric nations are related to each other, how they settled so far from each other, and what the roots of their origin are. The topics covered by the course include not only the history of the Uralic peoples, but also contemporary politics, modern forms of cooperation, and cultural trends. We will have a chance to meet the basics of some Finno-Ugric languages and talk to representatives of some organizations working with Finno-Ugric issues (for example, NPO Fenno-Ugria, NGO Komi Cultural Society). 

Why this course?

  • Unique opportunity to explore and discuss a range of topics relating to Finno-Ugric peoples and cultures

  • Lectures delivered by currently active researchers and NGO representatives giving a keen insight into the world of Finno-Ugric peoples

  • Interdisciplinary approach ensures a full perspective of historical and contemporary issues

Teacher(s)

The workshop is led by Anna Kuznetsova and David Edwards. 

Anna Kuznetsova – MA in History and currently a PhD researcher in Russia and Estonia working on the research on institutions of ethnopolitics in Finno-Ugric regions. Anna is also the head of the Estonian NGO Hõimulõimed and Society Fenno-Ugria Noored, dealing with developing and promoting Finno-Ugric cultures and cooperation.

David Edwards – Submitted his PhD at the University of Glasgow on representations of Estonian identity and external communication, and taught on courses such as “The Post-Soviet World” 

Timetable

Timetable will be confirmed by 1 November 2023.

Lecture 1: Origin and history of the Finno-Ugric peoples. Current socio-economic situations and modern political developments in Finno-Ugric regions.
Lecture 2: Building a Finno-Ugric State: Comparative Historical Introduction to Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian History.
Lecture 3: Representing Estonian National Identity in the 21st Century.
Lecture 4: Finno-Ugric traditional and modern culture. Current Finno-Ugric cooperation: institutions; youth, scientific and cultural forums; bi- and multilateral cooperation.
Meeting with the representatives of NGO Komi Cultural Society.
Meeting with the representatives of NPO Fenno-Ugria and NGO Hõimulõimed.

Participants

The course is open to everyone interested in the topic.

Credit points

Optional: Students will be awarded 1 ECTS for full participation and satisfactory completion of a 2000 word written assignment

Course fee

100 EUR

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"Both professors were amazing, with different approaches and ways of teaching. The course in general was interesting, I learned a lot and at the end the special guest gave us information in more detail about different topics regarding the course. I will recommend continuing this type of courses in the next summer schools"

Ester, Guatemala
Introduction to Estonia and Finno-Ugric Cultures and Nations course (Online edition)

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